In a new Covenant of Mayors case study, we invite you to find out how the German city of Dresden uses a living lab to bring the city, experts, and residents together to develop a better understanding of climate adaptation issues related to extreme temperatures, and to codesign solutions to these issues.

In some areas of the district of Gorbitz in Dresden temperature can range from three to more than five degrees above that of the uncovered surrounding rural area. There is a high concentration of economically disadvantaged residents, and, despite ongoing renovationof the building stock, many poorly insulated buildings leave residents vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

The increasing heat brought on by global warming reduces both the comfort and the efficiency of people living and working in the district. It makes the area less appealing for visitors and reduces use of outdoor environments. Prolonged heat can also cause extremediscomfort in buildings not built to withstand it.

This project therefore set out to tackle several unknowns: how bad exactly is the problem? What are the effects of extreme heat on people living and working in the district? What adaptation measures can experts recommend, and how to local people feel about those solutions?